Alec Baldwin Is Being Sued by Family of Woman Who Was Killed during 'Rust' Shooting

Alec Baldwin speaks up about the issue regarding the accidental shooting of Director Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust." As the man holding the gun and film producer, Baldwin was sued by Hutchins' family.

Alec Baldwin never imagined he would be placed in a situation he had no control over. However, on October 21, 2021, his life changed when a tragic accident took place on the set of "Rust," a film where he is both actor and producer.

After accidentally taking the life of Director Halyna Hutchins, Baldwin faced the legal and emotional consequences that he may carry for a lifetime.

A side-by-side photo of late director Halyna Hutchins and actor Alec Baldwin. | Source: Getty Images & Youtube.com/ABC News

THE ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING

When assistant director David Halls handed Baldwin a gun for the movie's props, neither of the men weren't aware that it had one bullet inside. Halls even yelled "cold gun," indicating that it was safe to use. Thinking it was only loaded with blanks, Baldwin proceeded to lift it during the rehearsal.

Suddenly, the antique revolver went off and fatally shot Hutchins chest, passing her through her body to injure writer-director Joel Souza. The Western thriller's set location in New Mexico then became the center of a crime scene.

The 42-year-old director was airlifted to a hospital but sadly did not survive. "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins," Baldwin said of the incident. "My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna."

HALYNA HUTCHINS' PROFILE

The Ukraine-born Los Angeles resident graduated from the American Film Institute and had 49 productions throughout her career, including the movie "Anarchy."

Her success as a cinematographer was exceptional amidst a male-dominated industry, making Hutchings an inspiration to others in the same career path. Sidra Smith, a writer, producer, and casting director, shared her thoughts on Instagram:

"It's hard out here for women cinematographers, and this was a HUGE opportunity for her. She was so young and so talented. Halyna and I spent so much time together."

Alec Baldwin co-hosting "The View" in 2020. | Photo: Getty Images

BALDWIN'S STATEMENT

For the first time since the tragic accident that took the cinematographer's life, Baldwin has spoken out about the incident during an ABC News interview titled "Alec Baldwin: Unscripted."

According to Baldwin, he "didn't pull the trigger" of the revolver that took his colleague's life. "Someone put a live bullet in a gun, a bullet that wasn't even supposed to be on the property." He added:

"I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them, never. [...] Even now, I find it hard to believe that [she's gone]. It doesn't seem real to me."

IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED

Hutchins' husband sued Baldwin along with the other producers and crew workers responsible for his wife's tragic death, knowing it was an incident that could have been prevented. As reported by Vanity Fair, the lawsuit states:

"Defendant Baldwin and the other Defendants, in this case, failed to perform industry-standard safety checks and follow basic gun safety rules while using real guns to produce the movie 'Rust,' with fatal consequences."

The lawsuit also stated that the defendants' duty was to ensure safety measures for every individual present where firearms were used. The revolver can easily inflict death on a person when misused as a deadly weapon.

In addition, the document said, "The Defendants chose to use real firearms for the feature film production 'Rust' [...] despite the danger inherent in any use of real firearms." Unfortunately, basic standard safety protocol was not followed during the rehearsal.

Assistant prop master Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was specifically mentioned as inexperienced and unqualified for the degree of knowledge needed on the film's set. Although the producers, including Baldwin, were aware of this, they ignored her concerns. The document also claimed:

"Defendant Halls never verified the revolver was safe before handing it to Defendant Baldwin [...]. Baldwin never verified the gun was safe before operating the gun [...]."

Guttierrez-Reed also filed a complaint against "Rust's" ammunition supplier for distributing and selling prop firearms which posed a risk of injury. Further, the defendants did not warn the purchaser of risks attached to the sold items, which could have prevented the whole situation.

Being responsible for someone's death was the worst thing the "30 Rock" star went through, especially after facing his own mortality during a nasty bout of Lyme disease.

The document revealed that the defendants used their surplus of ammunition piles with both fake and real ammunition. As such, the cartridge boxes used on set proved to be fatal.

BALDWIN'S FACES MORTALITY

Being responsible for someone's death was the worst thing the "30 Rock" star went through, especially after facing his own mortality during a nasty bout of Lyme disease. Baldwin has been living with Lyme disease since being bitten by a tick in his 40s.

As summer comes, he has to deal with joint pain and profuse sweating associated with the illness. He previously explained that the first time he suffered from the disease was horrible.

He was divorced from his first wife at the time and recalled lying in bed thinking he was going to die alone. Fortunately, he made it through but still lives in fear of Lyme disease and worries that his children could one day experience it.

Baldwin shares six kids with his current wife, Hilaria Baldwin, and one with his ex-wife, Kim Basinger. As a father in his 60s, Baldwin wished he had more time to spend with his little ones, especially knowing how precious life is.

As a parent, he knows the pain a child would go through to lose a mother, such that Hutchins' little boy would feel growing up.

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